Vehicle traffic  signal



June 2, 1931. M Y

I VEHICLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed Sept. 16, 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORJ: Y Fusnmao MAMIYA.

June 2, 1931. MAMIYA 1,807,629

VEHICLE TRAFFIC S IGNAL I Filed Sept. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 -9 4 INVENTOFU:

FusAul R0 MAM IYA Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES FUSAJIRO MAMIYA, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA VEHICLE TRAFFIC? SIGNAL Application filed September 16, 1929. Serial No. 392,923.

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in direction indicating devices for automobiles, and has for its objects the provision of elements embracing the desired features of simplicity, efliciency, durability, and which is well adapted for operation during the day and night, and which will show by direction of a semaphore, the way the automobile is to turn, or to stop.

It is a design of the invention to provide a signaling device which will be compacted to a minimum size in inoperative position.

Other objects and advantages may appear in the following detail description.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the signal device. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device showing the semaphore arm in an indicating position. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the signaling device showing the semaphore arm in non-display position. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the signal device, showing the actuating means. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the gear elements for actuating the semaphore arm. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the switch elements.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the signal housing 11 has mounted therein, a sig nal semaphore 12, revoluble on supporting members 13 which project inwardly. The semaphore 12, has colored glass side walls 14, and has mounted therein an electric bulb 15, and a reflector 16. A tiltable member 17, is mounted on a shaft 18, and has a short arm 19, in engagement with a slide 26, and has a long arm 21, pivotally connected to' a link 22, which is pivotally connected relative to the semaphore housing 12. Slide 20 is provided with a gear rack member 23, in engagement with a gear 24, on a shaft 25, the shaft 25 having on its opposite end a gear 26. The housing 11 has glass closure members 27, mounted over apertures 28, and retained in position by retainer members 29.

The housing 11 has connected thereto a tubular casing 30, provided with a collar 31, which is adapted to be secured to a windshield irame 32, as indicated by dotted lines. The wire leads 33 and 34 are adapted to be connected to a source of electric energy (not shown). Wire lead 33 is connected to a fixed contact plate 35, and wire lead 34 has a ground connection 36, with the switch housing 37. A tubular shaft 38 is mounted in tubular casing 20, and has on one end a gear 39 constantly in mesh with gear 26. An actuating lever 40 is fixed to shaft 38 and carries thereon, a lever 41, adapted to engage with certain notches 42, in the switch housing 37. A wire conductor 43 is connected at one end to electric bulb socket 44, within the signal housing 11, and at the opposite end to a movable contact member 45, mounted on lever 40. In non-display position, the contact member 45, does not engage with fixed contact'member 35, but, in display positions of the semaphore, will engage with fixed contact member 35. A tubular conduit 46 is provided for the electric leads 33 and 34. In use, the operator will actuatelever 40, and place lever 41 in any of the desired notches, for displaying a signal, and thereby will actuate the semaphore to a correspond ing position.

What is claimed is: 1. In an automobile signal device, a casing disposed at one side ofthe automobile, a semaphore pivotally mounted relative to the casing, and operative to angular display positions, a lever operatively mounted in the signal housing and having a relatively short arm and a relatively long arm, a link connect-ed to the longer lever arm and to the semaphore, a rack member reciprocably mounted in the signal housing, and in operative engagement with the relatively short lever arm, a pinion engaging with the rack member, and actuating means for the pinion.

2. In an automobile signal device, a signal housing, a semaphore mounted therein and adapted to swing to angular display positions, a lever operatively mounted in the housing and having a long and a short arm, a link connected to the semaphore and to the long arm of said lever a rack member reciprocatively mounted in the signal housing, and in operative engagement with the short lever arm, and an actuating pinion within the housing and engaging with and actuating the rack member.

3. In an automobile signal device, a signal housing, a semaphore mounted therein and adapted to swing outwardly to angular display positions, a lever operatively mounted in the housing and having a long and a short arm, a rack member operatively mounted in the signal housing, and actuated by the short arm of the lever with a reciprocatory movement, a link connected to the semaphore and to the long arm of said lever whereby the semaphore is actuated with an oscillative movement, and an actuating pinion operatively mounted in the housing and in engagement with and actuating the rack memher.

4. In an automobile signal device, a signal housing, tubular flanges integral therewith, and on opposite sides thereof, and projecting inwardly, a semaphore arm revolubly mounted on the inwardly projecting supporting flanges and operable to outward display posi tions, a lever mounted within the housing and below the signal arm, and having integral therewith a relatively long arm and a relatively short arm, a link connected to the relatively longer arm and to the inner portion of the semaphore arm, a rack member reciprocably mounted in the housing and in operative engagement with the relatively short arm, and an actuating pinion in engement with the rack member.

5. In an automobile signal device, a signal housing, tubular flanges integral therewith, and on opposite sides thereof, and projecting inwardly, a semaphore arm including a tubular portion journalled in the inwardly proj ecting flanges of the casing, transparent closures mounted in said tubular portion and concentric with the axial center thereof, and means within the housing for actuating the signal arm to outward and operative display positions.

FUSAJIRO MAMIYA. 

